Ukraine

Russia

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Russian government ordered the conscription of 160,000 men by July 15, the highest target in 14 years, The Moscow Times reported on March 31.

Russia: Moscow Orders Highest Conscription Since 2011

Europe

Economics

Politics

At the end of a summit of European leaders in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said during a press conference that participants had unanimously agreed to maintain sanctions on Russia and increase military aid to Ukraine, with France pledging an additional 2 billion euros ($2 billion), Le Monde reported on March 27.

Europe, Ukraine: Europe To Maintain Sanctions on Russia, Pursue Reassurance Force in Ukraine

United States

The Kremlin announced that a 30-day moratorium on strikes targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure took effect on March 18, according to newly published details,  AP reported March 26. 

Russia, Ukraine: Energy Ceasefire In Effect Despite Violations

The White House issued separate statements on the outcomes of recent negotiations with Russian and Ukrainian delegations, highlighting agreements with Russia to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, restore Russia's access to the world market for agricultural goods and fertilizer, and develop measures for implementing a ban on strikes against energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine, Reuters reported on March 25. 

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: U.S. Issues Statements on Outcomes of Russia and Ukraine Talks

Russian and Ukrainian delegations held separate talks with a U.S. delegation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with talks between Russian and U.S. delegations lasting more than 12 hours and resulting in a joint statement that will be published on March 25, Reuters reported on March 24. 

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: U.S., Russian and Ukrainian Delegations Hold Talks in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia

Russian and U.S. technical teams will hold their next round of talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, early in the week of March 24 to discuss the details of Russia-Ukraine deconfliction agreements in the air and the Black Sea, as well as technical details of an eventual interim ceasefire, Bloomberg reported on March 19, citing U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. 

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: Delegations To Meet in Jeddah for Technical Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump held his second official phone call this year with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the two leaders agreed to create expert negotiating teams to achieve a settlement of the Russia-Ukraine war, Reuters reported on March 18.

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: Trump Holds Second Official Phone Call With Putin

At a press conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered an initial reaction to the March 11 U.S.-Ukriane offer for an interim 30-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and resumption of negotiations over a peace settlement, Reuters reported on March 13.

Ukraine, Russia: Putin Responds to 30-day Ceasefire Offer

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Intensifying trade wars, a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, continued volatility in the Middle East and consequential elections in key countries will shape the quarter.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Global Elections

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

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Iran

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United Kingdom

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint press conference Feb. 16 at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem. Senior Israeli officials from the security and intelligence ministries will visit the United States to discuss Iran's nuclear program and Israeli border demarcation talks with Lebanon.

Global Trade

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. and Israel Coordinate on Iran, the U.K. Chancellor Seeks Fiscal Discipline

Spain

Spanish soldiers sit at tables at a makeshift military base in Valencia, eastern Spain, on Nov. 12, 2024, following deadly floods in the region.

Domestic political constraints will impede Madrid's ability to expand its defense budget, which will expose it to U.S. retaliation and limit Spanish participation in any European deployment to Ukraine.

Despite Recent Pledges, Spain Will Struggle To Boost Military Spending

Snapshots

While a ceasefire appears increasingly likely, Russia will likely delay a deal to secure more concessions related to Western military support, a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine, and Kyiv's NATO aspirations.

How Will Russia Respond to the U.S.-Proposed Ceasefire in Ukraine?

A photo taken on Jan. 15, 2025, shows a muddy track running through a forest in Sumy, Ukraine, that Ukrainian soldiers use to transport American Stryker armored fighting vehicles during Ukraine's ongoing cross-border operation into Russia's Kursk region.

Intensified Russian attacks will likely soon force Ukrainian troops to exit Russia's Kursk border region, which could make Moscow more open to ceasefire talks by weakening Kyiv's negotiating leverage.

Ukraine's Withdrawal From Kursk Appears Imminent Amid Russian Advances

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerovto attend a meeting between the US and Ukraine hosted by the Saudis on March 11, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Ukraine has agreed to a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire with Russia, but its success depends on Moscow's acceptance and broader unresolved issues.

Temporary Truce in Sight? U.S. and Ukraine Push for 30-Day Ceasefire with Russia

Columns

On Geopolitics

China

A digital map illustration of Russia.

The White House believes that restoring ties with Moscow will help it negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine and, more importantly, undermine Russia-China relations in the long run. But numerous potential pitfalls mean this approach is unlikely to pay off.

The Rationale and Risks of Trump's Push to Reengage With Russia

France

Ukrainian flags are flown alongside EU flags outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 24, 2025, for the third anniversary of Russia'’s large-scale invasion.

Amid the prospect of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, European leaders are mulling putting boots on the ground in Ukraine to help deter Russian aggression, which could take several forms, each varying in effectiveness and feasibility.

Weighing the Options for a European Deployment in Ukraine

A map of the United States from 1897. While a revisionist America could lead to a more stable world order, it would be much more likely to lead to greater uncertainty, volatility, and conflict.

While a revisionist America could lead to a more stable world order, it would be much more likely to lead to greater uncertainty, volatility, and conflict.

What a Revisionist U.S. Foreign Policy Could Mean for the World

Canada

Mexico

Palestinian Territories

A truck drives toward the Canada-U.S. border crossing in Blackpool, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2025.

The Weekly Rundown: An EU Summit on Ukraine, U.S. Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China

Minerals are loaded onto trucks at an open-pit mine in Ukraine's Donetsk region, near the frontline of the war with Russia, on Feb. 26, 2025.

The deal, while largely political for now, could influence the course of the war by justifying continued U.S. aid to Ukraine, potentially delaying any ceasefire with Russia.

The Viability and Potential Impact of the U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

Germany

CDU leader Friedrich Merz (left) and the party's secretary general, Carsten Linnemann, hold a post-election press conference in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 24, 2025. 

Germany's new government will likely be more stable than its predecessor, enabling the CDU/CSU to pursue economic stimulus and a more assertive foreign policy.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

SITUATION REPORTS

Russia: Moscow Orders Highest Conscription Since 2011

Europe, Ukraine: Europe To Maintain Sanctions on Russia, Pursue Reassurance Force in Ukraine

Russia, Ukraine: Energy Ceasefire In Effect Despite Violations

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: U.S. Issues Statements on Outcomes of Russia and Ukraine Talks

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: U.S., Russian and Ukrainian Delegations Hold Talks in Riyadh

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: Delegations To Meet in Jeddah for Technical Talks

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: Trump Holds Second Official Phone Call With Putin

Ukraine, Russia: Putin Responds to 30-day Ceasefire Offer

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